Facts about iron absorption and health

Role of ironIron is an important dietary mineral that is important for various bodily functions, including the transport of oxygen in the blood. This is essential in providing energy for daily life.

Iron is thought to be lost from the body through inefficient absorption, gastrointestinal disruption, the shedding of cells, and blood loss. It is also thought that up to fifteen per cent of the Australian population may have iron deficiency at some time, with menstruating women at greater risk than men and postmenopausal women.

Iron absorptionThe average person needs to absorb just a small amount of iron each day to stay healthy. To achieve this, however, we need to consume several times that amount. This is because our bodies absorb only a fraction of the iron contained in the foods we eat.